FAQ: DONATIONS & PICKUPS

What happens with my donation? Does it go into a home built by Habitat?
Material donations are not used in Habitat-built homes. Instead, our ReStores sell them at low-cost to the public. The ReStores generate a valuable revenue stream that enables Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East, Willamette West Habitat for Humanity and Evergreen Habitat for Humanity to build more decent, affordable housing for hard-working, low-income families. Your donation not only helps support the construction of Habitat homes, it also helps reduce the costs of home-improvement for other homeowners in the Portland/Vancouver Metro community. Plus, this past year, our ReStores diverted over 5,200 tons of reusable items from area landfills.

Do the ReStores repair donated items and materials?
Unfortunately, we currently do not have the resources to repair or touch up items, which is why we can only accept lightly used donations that are in good, working condition.

Do the ReStores accept scrap metal and nonworking appliances for recycling?
Yes! We have a volunteer-run recycling program. We are, however, unable to schedule pickups for these items. If you can drop off your scrap metal/nonworking appliance (electronics excluded) at one of our three ReStore locations, we will break them down and sort them for recycling. The donation of these materials is also tax deductible!

Can the ReStore pick up donations that are inside my home?
No. Unfortunately, our insurance policy prevents our staff and volunteers from entering houses for the purpose of picking up material donations. All donations must be placed in a garage or driveway for pickup. We apologize for any inconvenience.

How soon can you come pickup my donation?
Pickups are scheduled Monday through Saturday. On average, we schedule about a week out in advance and sometimes longer in the busier seasons. To stay efficient, we organize our routes based on zip code, so we appreciate your patience as we work with you to fit your donation into our rounds.

How do I count my donation as a tax deduction if I have scheduled a pickup?
Our drivers will provide you with the necessary paperwork when they come to pick up your donation. Legally, Habitat cannot appraise your donation(s), so all donors must fill out an estimated value for their donation(s) on the receipt. Please keep in mind that you are required by law to fill out IRS Form 8283 for any donation you value at $500 or more. Any donation with a total value of $5,000 or more must also be professionally appraised.

Why is there a charge to pickup my donation?
The $20 fee helps us cover the cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance and staffing so that the funds raised from donated items go to our mission of building Habitat homes!

What happens if I need to cancel my pickup?
If you have to cancel or re-schedule a donation pickup, please notify us at least 48 hours in advance so that we can accommodate other donors.